Tuesday, October 6, 2020

IRTC UPDATE: 

Public health officials advise the 24th death due to COVID-19 has been reported, a female in her 70s from the Whitemud district in Prairie Mountain Health region. This was a previously announced case linked to an outbreak in a communal living community.

The current five-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is 2.4 per cent and 56 new cases of the virus have been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today. One previously-announced case has been removed from the case totals, bringing the net number of new cases today to 55 and the total number of cases in Manitoba to 2,246.

The data shows:

• one case in the Prairie Mountain Health region
• two cases in the Southern Health region
• 22 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region
• 31 cases in the Winnipeg health region

The data also shows:

• 781 active cases and 1,441 individuals have recovered from COVID-19
• there are 28 people in hospital and seven people in intensive care
• the number of deaths due to COVID-19 is 24

CASE INVESTIGATION UPDATE

• Andrew Mynarski VC, 1111 Machray Ave., in Winnipeg on Sept. 28 and 29. Based on the public health investigation, there is no evidence of in-school transmission, or that a case was acquired in school. Public health is reaching out to close contacts to advise self- isolation and one cohort will self monitor
• Dufferin School, 545 Alexander , in Winnipeg on Sept. 28 and 29. Based on the public health investigation, there is no evidence of in-school transmission, or that a case was acquired in school. Public health is reaching out to close contacts to advise self-isolation, and one class will self monitor.
• Mahihkan Bus Lines Oct. 1 from Winnipeg northbound at 11:00 a.m.to Portage La Prairie, Dauphin, Swan River, Mafeking and The Pas.
• Tim Horton’s in Beausejour, on Sept. 28, 2:00-7:00 p.m. and Sept 29, 2:00-9:00 p.m. Risk to the public is considered low.

STIGMA & COVID-19

The current COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a rise in stigma and discrimination against people who have the virus, people who have travelled recently or attended a gathering even those who it is believed have come in contact with someone who has the virus.

The discrimination and prejudice that results from stigma can appear in various ways, such as:

• Writing on social media negative comments and shaming
• blaming a person or group of people who may have the virus for “being careless and spreading the illness”
• verbal or physical attacks

Things you can do to make a difference:

• Respect people’s privacy. There is no need to tell others if someone you know is Instead remind others always to use preventative measures.
• Do not share or post negative content on social media
• Support someone who is experiencing stigma or discrimination because of COVID-19. Speak out against stigmatizing
• Suggesting virtual resources for mental health or other social support services for people who have experienced stigma or
• Correcting negative language that can cause stigma by sharing accurate information about how the virus spreads.

All IRTC Staff are available continuously via cellphone and email